THE extraordinary story of how Mo Mowlam refused surgery for a brain tumour so she could keep her place in the Cabinet will be told in a new television drama later this month.

According to the programme’s researchers, the much-loved MP for Redcar was told she had a malignant brain tumour three months before the General Election in 1997.

But she chose not to undergo surgery for fear a lengthy period of convalescence would jeopardise her chances of becoming Secretary of State for Northern Ireland in a Labour Government.

Instead the film says she opted for a form of treatment that would enable her to live a normal life – but one that would eventually kill her.

As we know, Mo Mowlam became Northern Ireland secretary and her unconventional style helped secure a lasting peace settlement in the troubled province.

She became famous for defusing tensions by removing her wig during discussions that led to the signing of the Good Friday Agreement.

The courage she showed facing up to the tumour and her spirit in fighting the illness made her a national heroine and, arguably, the most popular politician in the North-East.

More popular, even, than Prime Minister Tony Blair.

Did she really turn down the chance of a longer life to live a shorter one of greater consequence? We may never know for certain.

But one thing is for sure. With the standing of parliamentarians generally never lower, the story of Mo Mowlam’s remarkable courage is a reminder that not all our MPs are in politics for what they can get.